Category Archives: Movie Reviews

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Valkyrie

valkyrieposterBecky and I went to see the new Tom Cruise film Valkyrie the other day at the Kerasotes theater in Castle Rock, CO with our friends Rod and Kimberly Tactaquin. The Fandango website at Valkyrie describes the movie as follows.

“A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler’s own emergency plan – known as Operation Valkyrie – these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government from the inside….”

The Review
Valkyrie

is a great movie if you are a history buff or if you have ever wondered why the German people or someone in the German military during World War II didn’t just kill Hitler when they found out that he was insane. This movie answers that question and shows the challenges of removing a Dictator from power once they have taken over the country, even if they are nuts.

Goblin Network AdThe movie moves a bit slow, it’s definitely interesting, but as Rod pointed out after the film, it’s a great deal like the German version of the Alamo. You have to admire their mission that was impossible to pull off, but unfortunately they didn’t have much of a chance going into their mission. The problem for them is that they really believed that they had a fool proof plan and in the end they gave their lives for the right reasons.

Becky thought the movie was one that you should wait to hit the rental rack. I think that Rod agreed with her and Kimberly and I liked it more than they did, but we would probably all agree that it wasn’t a feel good movie to pay $10 to see at the box office. That’s four reviews for this movie review, so you’re best bet is to probably wait to see this movie when it comes out on DVD. We’re getting a bit tougher since the cost of movies continues to skyrocket while the economy is going in the other direction.

John – ** Rental
Becky – ** Rental

Fist Of The Warrior aka Lesser of Three Evils dvdrip

Rod – ** Rental
Kimberly – ** Rental
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates

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in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

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Benjamin ButtonBecky and I went to see the new Brad Pitt film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Christmas night at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO. The Rotten Tomatoes website at The Curious Case of Benjamin Button describes the movie as follows.

“Director David Fincher and Brad Pitt team up for a third time with this adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Pitt plays a man who is born 80 years old, but instead of aging, he grows… Director David Fincher and Brad Pitt team up for a third time with this adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Pitt plays a man who is born 80 years old, but instead of aging, he grows young. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett costars, along with Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton…”

The Review
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the movie where you get to see Brad Pitt as an ugly baby, grow up backwards to become “Joe Handsome” and fall in love with the beautiful Cate Blanchett. The film is definitely unique and different. It looks at people from all walks of life and the part they play in the life of Benjamin and one another, as he grows young, which is an odd concept in itself.

Goblin Network AdThe thing that bothered both of us about this movie is that it takes place in New Orleans and a good portion of it is during the time that hurricane Katrina is about to hit. For some reason they kept focusing on the hurricane and maybe that was because of Brad Pitt trying to have people remember what happened down there since he did a great deal of volunteer work after the storm. We couldn’t really figure out any other reason since it didn’t tie into the story whatsoever, so maybe it did it’s part.

We waited in line on Christmas night for an hour to see this 2 hour and 45 minute film, plus previews, but it was worth the trip. Other than the fact that they both did a great deal of sleeping around throughout their lives, the film was entertaining and thought provoking. We both thought it was a good film for the big screen, even though AMC has now raised their prices to $10 a ticket! I guess they have to pay Brad Pitt’s salary for a film like this somehow.

If you get a chance, we would recommend seeing this movie and you shouldn’t be disappointed. I’m going with Worth The Trip and Becky say’s Don’t Miss It because Brad Pitt is easy on the eyes.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – **** Don’t Miss It
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com In Good Company ipod

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Frost/Nixon

Merry Christmas! There are six new movies starting today, so stay tuned for some new movie reviews coming from John & Becky this weekend. Becky and I went to see the political film Frost/Nixon on Monday at the Landmark theater in Greenwood Village, CO. The Rotten Tomatoes website at Frost/Nixon describes the movie as follows.

“Oscar®-winning director Ron Howard brings to the screen writer Peter Morgan’s (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland) electrifying battle between Richard Nixon, the disgraced president with a legacy… Oscar®-winning director Ron Howard brings to the screen writer Peter Morgan’s (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland) electrifying battle between Richard Nixon, the disgraced president with a legacy to save, and David Frost, a jet-setting television personality with a name to make, in the untold story of the historic encounter that changed both: Frost/Nixon. Reprising their roles from Morgan’s stageplay are Frank Langella, who won a Tony for his portrayal of Nixon, and Michael Sheen, who fully inhabited the part of Frost onstage in London and New York…”

The Review
Frost/Nixon has mixed reviews depending on the age of the viewing audience. I think for people who went through the Nixon Watergate era they will focus mainly on how crooked President Richard Nixon was as he tried to get out of admitting his wrong doing. For Becky and I, we liked the story and found it amazing because of what Frost had to go through to pull off the interview with Nixon when he was against all odds.

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What we found fascinating about this film is that if you read between the lines, President Richard Nixon wasn’t really passionate about being President of the United States as much as he was concerned about creating personal wealth and losing his power. It builds throughout the film and then comes out loud and clear at the end where he makes a comment to Frost about how he would have been a good journalist.

Unfortunately, for President Nixon he spends the remainder of his life a very lonely man because of one giant mistake he made, which just goes to show you that one bad decision can have lasting consequences. As we left the film, it made me think about how many other Presidents or other men in power arrived in their positions of authority for the wrong reasons. If you go beyond just looking at President Nixon and punishing him for his sins and instead look at the contrast of the two people in the film and their difference in motivation and passion you can’t help but enjoy this movie. We both liked it and thought it was definitely worth the trip to the box office.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – *** Worth The Trip
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates Fist Of The Warrior aka Lesser of Three Evils rip The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear the movie

In Good Company the movie

in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

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John & Becky’s Movie Review Of The Tale of Despereaux

Despereaux PosterBecky and I took the kids to see The Tale of Despereaux yesterday at the Kerasotes theaters in Castle Rock, CO. The Rotten Tomatoes movie website at The Tale of Despereaux describes the movie as follows:

“Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, there was magic in the air, raucous laughter aplenty and gallons of mouth-watering soup. But a terrible accident left the king broken-hearted, the princess filled with longing and the townsfolk despondent. All hope was lost in a land where sunlight disappeared and the world became dreary gray. Until Despereaux Tilling was born… A brave and virtuous mouse, Despereaux is simply too big for his small world…”

The Review
The Tale of Despereaux can be summed up in a short story…

“Once upon a time there were some Hollywood executives who said, “We need a movie for the Christmas holiday season that parents will take their kids too and we can pull in 10 million on opening weekend. We don’t care if the plot is terrible, the story is dark, convoluted and somewhat twisted, but as long as we put a cute mouse in it and a fancy name we’ll attract kids of all ages and parents with cash.” and so it happened that the movie was made, the executives were right and they opened up with $10 million at the box office. The end.”
Perfect Opposites
Goblin Network AdThis is a goofy cartoon that has an evil cat, an evil rat, a group of whacky mice, a mixed up king and his princess, a confused servant girl and a hero mouse who is not believable. Within the first ten minutes the Queen dies by drowning in her bowl of soup, that was really enjoyable and made for good Holiday cheer. The rats are ready to eat anything and everything, including the mice and are as wicked as can get. The servant girl is self seeking and misguided as she kidnaps the princess.

The bottom line is that this movie was messed up and we wouldn’t recommend it. Our kids liked it somewhat, but kids like just about any animated flick regardless of the content. Hollywood has this pegged and they can put out just about anything over the Holidays and get sales. Our advice is to skip this one and wait for the rental, if you are desperate to see it.

John – * Don’t Bother
Becky – * Don’t Bother

The Kids
Conroy – ** Rental
Corban- *** Worth The Trip
Bianca – *** Worth The Trip Employee of the Month buy
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com Hotel for Dogs download

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Seven Pounds

7 PoundsBecky and I went to see the new flick Seven Pounds on Saturday at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO. The Rotten Tomatoes website at Seven Pounds describes the movie as follows.

“Academy Award® nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with… Academy Award® nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers…”

The Review

Seven Pounds is more like eight ounces. It was really hyped as the Christmas season movie that nobody should miss and I think that Becky and I were expecting more from this Will Smith blockbuster. We spoke with a couple clients of mine the day we were going to see it and they told us how their son’s High School girlfriend came into their home the night before and couldn’t stop crying. We were expecting the same emotional response, but it didn’t happen for us.

Goblin Network AdMaybe Becky and I are just too old to get that emotionally charged about a film like Seven Pounds. I had it figured out about half way through the movie, so that was part of the problem, even though they did their best to try to make it difficult to follow. It was tough to follow though for most people since it jumps around a great deal. The problem though is the message is really pathetic.

Basically, the message of the film is that once you make a mistake there is no chance for redemption unless you give up something on the same level as what was lost. An eye for an eye is the message of Seven Pounds and as a Christian I find that the wrong message and so did Becky. There are some strong messages though about the fact that there are consequences for your actions and that was a good message, but it’s the way it’s presented that created a problem.

We can’t say it’s a feel good movie nor is it something that will make you think that Smith’s character was right in his actions by any stretch. It failed as a love story and it has a twisted ending. Bottom line is we were not impressed and there are better movies to go see than this one. Wait for the rental rack is our vote and you might actually like it since you didn’t pay $9 for admission.

John – ** Rental
Becky – ** Rental
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates

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in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com The Court Jester video

John & Becky's Movie Review Of Yes Man

Yes ManBecky and I went to see Yes Man on Friday at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO.  The Yahoo movie website at Yes Man Candy dvdrip describes the movie as follows.

“A man signs up for a self-help program based on one simple principle: say yes to everything… and anything. At first, unleashing the power of “yes” transforms his life in amazing and unexpected ways, but he soon discovers that opening up his life to endless possibilities can have its drawbacks…”

The Review
Yes Man is another strange Jim Carrey film that is almost the same movie as Liar, Liar where he could only tell the truth. In this film, his character goes to a self-help seminar and now he can only say Yes to everything.

There are some very funny parts in the film and you actually start to really like the movie along with his bizarre girlfriend as it starts to shape up as a fun romantic comedy. Unfortunately, it then takes a very sour turn with a few parts that are nothing less than over-the-top crude sexual humor with him getting intimate with some old lady. It’s ridiculous and really wrecked the movie the way that they did it.

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Yes Man Arabian Adventure move is definitely funny, so don’t get me wrong. I’m just amazed that they would make a PG-13 movie with crude sexual scenes and they used the “F” word at least once in the film. They don’t have to do that, so the Director is a moron. It should have been rated R. They should know that people are paying to see a movie that they may be bringing their kids to without having to be put in an uncomfortable position.

It’s also just too much like Liar, Liar and his other goofy films, so we would suggest waiting for the rental or don’t bother.

John – ** Rental
Becky – * Don’t Bother
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Nothing Like the Holidays

nothingliketheholidaysBecky and I went to see Nothing Like the Holidays yesterday afternoon at the Kerasotes theaters in Castle Rock, CO. The Yahoo movie website at Nothing Like the Holidays describes the movie as follows.

“It’s Christmastime and the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family are converging at their parents’ home in Chicago to celebrate the season and rejoice in their youngest brother’s safe return from combat overseas. For Jesse, coming home has rekindled feelings for an old flame, although she can’t seem to forgive him for leaving. His older sister Roxanna, a struggling actress, has been chasing her Hollywood dreams for years with little to show for it. And much to the dismay of their mother Anna, eldest brother Mauricio brings home a high-powered executive wife who would rather raise capital than a child…”

The Review
Nothing Like the Holidays is about an American family with Puerto Rican heritage living in Chicago and dealing with their cultural differences, economic challenges and having a son and brother who has just returned from Iraq. There are about five stories going on within this movie at one time and plenty of character interaction among the relatives and friends. It’s goofy at times and heart warming at others.

Goblin Network AdNothing Like the Holidays is definitely a drama more than a comedy, but it does have some very funny people and parts in the film. It’s geared toward and around the Latin community for the Christmas season, but it’s enjoyable and fun regardless of your ethnic background.

It also makes you think about the challenges facing many people in America from different walks of life and what their experiences are in today’s economic climate, complete with a soldier coming home and even another character struggling with gang violence. It’s has some very emotional scenes and it’s much better than many of the Holiday films that come out this time of year. It sucks you in and you will like this flick.

We both liked this movie and thought that it would make for a good rental when it comes out on DVD or it is Worth The Trip if you head to the box office. Becky liked it as much as I did, but she thought most people would want to wait for the rental.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – ** Rental
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of The Day the Earth Stood Still

Day The Earth Stood StillI took Corban and Conroy to see The Day the Earth Stood Still last night at the AMC theaters at Highlands Ranch, CO. The Yahoo movie website at The Day the Earth Stood Still describes the movie as follows.

“Renowned scientist Dr. Helen Benson finds herself face to face with an alien called Klaatu, who travels across the universe to warn of an impending global crisis. When forces beyond Helen’s control treat the extraterrestrial as a hostile and deny his request to address the world’s leaders, she and her estranged stepson Jacob quickly discover the deadly ramifications of Klaatu’s claim that he is a friend to the Earth. Now Helen must find a way to convince the entity who was sent to destroy us that mankind is worth saving–but it may be too late. The process has begun.”

The Review
The Day the Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi flick with great special effects and pretty cool music. The alien is played by Keanu Reeves and it’s a perfect role for him since the character doesn’t have any emotion and he isn’t required to act. If you’re a Keanu Reeves fan you’ll really like this movie, but it does move really slow, probably because of the title. It moved slow enough though that my 9 and 10 year old boys could follow along with no problem, but I probably could have left the film for a half hour, came back and still knew what was going on.

Goblin Network AdThe Day the Earth Stood Still isn’t a terrible movie, it’s not a great movie, but it was entertaining if you’re a fan of science fiction films. I have to admit that I liked it because of the special effects and the story was kind of cool, but I can’t say you should run out and see it. The whole Evolution theme that we need to evolve to become like the aliens was ridiculous and moronic, but it’s Hollywood, so what do you expect.

The premise is that mankind is going to kill the planet, so we must be wiped out to save the planet. It actually reminded me of The Bible an in particular Revelation 11: 15-19, where if you pay close attention to the last phrase of Revelation 11:18 it sounds a great deal like The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Revelation 11:15-19 Darby Translation
15And the seventh angel sounded [his] trumpet: and there were great voices in the heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of his Christ is come, and he shall reign to the ages of ages. 16And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God 17saying, We give thee thanks, Lord God Almighty, [He] who is, and who was, that thou hast taken thy great power and hast reigned. 18And the nations have been full of wrath, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the recompense to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to those who fear thy name, small and great; and to destroy those that destroy the earth.  19And the temple of God in the heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The movie is a bit wild and I think it’s going to be a mixed bag for most people.  You will either really like it or probably think it was a waste of time.  I have to go with Worth The Trip in the end though because I like these off-the-wall films and the boys thought it was really cool.

John – *** Worth The Trip

The Kids
Conroy – **** Don’t Miss It The Lodge movie
Corban- **** Don’t Miss It
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com White Nights psp

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Slumdog Millionaire

SlumdogBecky and I escaped to see Slumdog Millionaire Turn the River dvdrip last night at the Esquire theater in Denver, CO. The Fandango website at Slumdog Millionaire describes the movie as follows.

“Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost.”

The Review
Slumdog Millionaire is one of the best movies we’ve seen all year! This movie was absolutely incredible and it will give you a total new appreciation for life in America and the fact that you do not live in India in the garbage dumps or that you had to grow up as a “slumdog”. The power of the Caste system being alive and well, that many people from India and others who like to promote the idea of Reincarnation in the United States like to ignore, is loud and clear in this movie.

Goblin Network AdSlumdog Millionaire is an emotionally charged and extremely powerful film that will suck you in and rip at your heart strings on a number of levels. The story is so good and the characters are amazing, but it will also make you sick to think that there are children like those portrayed in this movie who are having to raise themselves and being exploited by sick individuals for profit.

We were not sure if we wanted to see this movie because a few parts of it have sub-titles, but we are so glad we went to it. We had to drive near Downtown Denver, but this movie is way beyond just being Worth The Trip, it’s definitely a Don’t Miss It. It doesn’t matter who you are, unless you have a heart of stone, you should really enjoy this movie.

John – **** Don’t Miss It
Becky – **** Don’t Miss It
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

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John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Nobel Son

Nobel SonBecky and I went to see Nobel Son on Saturday night at the Cinemark theaters at Bel Mar in Lakewood, CO with her Aunt Judy. The Fandango website at Nobel Son describes the movie as follows.

“Barkley Michaelson is in a deep life rut. He’s struggling to finish his PhD thesis when his father, the learned Eli Michaelson, wins the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Barkley and his mother, Sarah, a renowned forensic psychiatrist, now have the ill-fortune of living with a man-eating monster whose philandering ways have gotten less and less discrete. As if Barkley’s world is not bad enough, on the eve of his father receiving the Nobel, Barkley is kidnapped and the requested ransom is the $2,000,000 in Nobel prize money. Needless to say, Eli refuses to pay it and so starts a venomous tale of familial dysfunction, lust, betrayal and ultimately revenge. In the words of Michel De Montaigne, the 16th century philosopher: “There is more barbarity in eating a man alive than in eating him dead.”

The Review
Nobel Son

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is definitely Rated R for the sex, violence and language. This is not a movie to bring your teenagers to, unless you want to be very uncomfortable during most of the film. The story is very entertaining with plenty of plot twists. Most of the characters are completely nuts and there is some great acting in this movie.

Goblin Network Ad The Lodge divx Nobel Son is definitely a dark comedy and it’s more dark than comedy for sure. Alan Rickman’s character is an ego maniac professor that he plays extremely well. By the end of the movie, you can’t stand the guy. Eliza Dushku is beautiful, but totally whacked and the brother of the main character is insane. We would recommend this film to fans of crime, pyscho thrillers or dark comedies.

To our surprise we all liked this movie, which may mean that we’ve all lost our minds, but it’s probably better to wait for the rental than run out and pay the cash to see it on the big screen. I liked it enough to say it was Worth The Trip. I thought the story was really good with all the twists and that it kept you guessing until the very end, even if it was a pretty twisted cast of characters. Either way, it will make for a good rental, but make sure the kids are in bed.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – ** Rental
_________________________________________________________________________
John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com